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Maelstrom – the classic Puffin Books RPG

In September 2017 we presented the Maelstrom Bundle featuring Maelstrom, Alexander Scott’s 1984 tabletop fantasy roleplaying game of 16th-Century Tudor magick and danger. Originally published by Puffin Books under the Adventure Gamebooks banner (alongside the famous Fighting Fantasy series), Maelstrom introduced a generation of British youth to roleplaying. Now the current publisher, Arion Games, has contributed this comprehensive bargain-priced Maelstrom offer — including two brand-new titles that debuted here.

Set in Tudor England around 1540, Maelstrom lets you create and adventure with nobles, mercenaries, priests, tradesmen, and herbalists. The game’s innovative freeform magick system, arguably a precursor to such classics as Ars Magica, allows mages to warp reality to their own ends. Combat is fast and furious, with dozens of weapons and armor types. The wound system means injuries are a real threat. The herbal section, a highlight of the original Maelstrom rules, has inspired many net-based RPG herbals.

Ten percent of each purchase (after gateway fees) went to the charity designated by Arion Games owner Graham Bottley, the Yorkshire (UK) Air Ambulance. “In the area where I live it is a literal life saver,” says Graham. “I very nearly needed it myself a couple of years ago, but it could not fly at night at that time. In the United Kingdom these services are funded only by charities, and because there is a reasonable chance I may need it again, it is the main charity I support.”